Jehovah Shalom

Jehovah Shalom-The Lord Is Peace

My Bible, My Help, My Hope

Judges 6:23–24 (ESV)

23 But the Lord said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.”

24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites.

We Need Peace

We find ourselves in a world that often feels chaotic, filled with trials and tribulations that can leave us feeling overwhelmed and anxious.

Yet, in the midst of this turmoil, we are offered a refuge, a sanctuary of tranquility and calm.

This sanctuary is not a physical place, but a spiritual one, found in the embrace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

His words, His teachings, His very being, radiate a sense of peace that transcends all understanding.

It's a peace that calms the stormy seas of our hearts, that stills the winds of our worries, that silences the thunder of our fears.

It's a peace that reassures us, comforts us, and fills us with a sense of serenity that is both profound and beautiful.

In the scripture, we see Gideon, a man fraught with fear and uncertainty, finding this peace in the presence of the Lord.

He was afraid, just as we often are, but in the face of his fear, the Lord offered him peace.

This wasn't a peace that merely pacified his fears, but a peace that transformed them, a peace that turned his fear into faith, his uncertainty into assurance.

This transformation is not unique to Gideon.

It's a transformation that each one of us can experience.

The peace of Christ is not a privilege reserved for a select few, but a gift freely given to all who seek it.

It's a gift that we can unwrap in the quiet moments of prayer, in the sacred spaces of worship, in the intimate encounters with His Word.

The peace that Christ offers is not a fleeting feeling, but a steadfast state of being.

It's not dependent on our circumstances, but on His presence in our lives.

It's a peace that remains with us, even when the world around us is in turmoil.

It's a peace that anchors us, even when the waves of life threaten to toss us about.

The peace of Christ is not just a personal experience, but a communal one.

It's a peace that we can share with others, a peace that can permeate our relationships, our communities, our world.

It's a peace that can bridge divides, heal wounds, and bring reconciliation.

It's a peace that can transform not just our hearts, but the hearts of those around us.

In the scripture, we see Gideon building an altar to the Lord, calling it 'The Lord Is Peace'.

This act was not just a personal declaration of faith, but a communal one. It was a way for Gideon to share the peace he had found with others, to invite them into the sanctuary of tranquility and calm that he had discovered.

It was a way for him to extend the peace of Christ to his community, to his world.

The peace of Christ is not just a gift to be received, but a call to be answered.

It's a call to live in a way that reflects His peace, to act in a way that spreads His peace, to speak in a way that communicates His peace.

It's a call to be peacemakers, to be ambassadors of His peace in a world that so desperately needs it.

In the scripture, we see Gideon answering this call.

He didn't just receive the peace of the Lord, he lived it.

He didn't just build an altar, he built a legacy of peace.

He didn't just call the Lord 'Peace', he became a vessel of His peace.

The peace of Christ is not just a promise only to believe in, but it is a reality to be lived.

It's a reality that can transform our lives, our relationships, our communities, our world.

It's a reality that we can step into, a reality that we can embody, a reality that we can make manifest in our world.

In the scripture, we see Gideon living this reality.

He didn't just hear the promise of peace, he experienced it.

He didn't just believe in the reality of peace, he lived it.

He didn't just call the Lord 'Peace', he made His peace a reality in his life, and in the life of those around him.

Remember Who You Are Following

Gideon remembers who he was following.

He was following God and God reminded Gideon of His promise of sovereignty.

This promise is not just a declaration of His supreme power and authority, but also a reassurance of His control over our lives and circumstances.

In the midst of Gideon's fear and uncertainty, the Lord's sovereignty was a beacon of hope.

It was a reminder that even when things seemed chaotic and out of control, God was still in charge.

He was still the one who held the universe in His hands, who set the stars in their places, and who guided the course of history according to His perfect plan.

This is a truth that we too can hold onto in our own lives.

When we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances, when we feel like we're being tossed about by the storms of life, we can find comfort in the knowledge that our God is sovereign.

He is not caught off guard by our struggles.

He is not surprised by our trials.

He is in control, and He is working all things together for our good and His glory.

The original Hebrew word for "sovereign" in this passage is "Yahweh," which is often translated as "the Lord."

This name for God is used over 6,800 times in the Old Testament, making it the most frequently used name for God in the entire Bible.

It is a name that speaks of God's eternal existence, His self-sufficiency, and His covenant-keeping nature.

In Exodus 3:14, when Moses asked God what His name was, God responded by saying, "I AM WHO I AM."

This is the same Hebrew word, "Yahweh," that is used in our passage in Judges.

It is a name that reminds us of God's unchanging nature, His faithfulness, and His sovereignty.

In the book of Psalms, this same word is used repeatedly to declare God's sovereignty over all creation.

In Psalm 24:1, for example, the psalmist writes, "The earth is the Lord's (Yahweh's), and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it."

This is a powerful reminder of God's absolute control over everything that exists.

God is not only in control of everything that exists, He is also directly involved with His creation.

He is not a distant deity who set the world in motion and then stepped back to watch it spin.

No, He is a God who is intimately involved in the lives of His people, guiding and directing their steps according to His perfect plan.

This is a truth that we see clearly in the life of Gideon.

Despite his fear and uncertainty, God was there, guiding him, directing him, and ultimately using him to deliver His people from their enemies.

This is a reminder that no matter what we're going through, God is there.

He is involved.

He is in control.

Because He is Omnipotent.

The God that we serve, who’s name is Jesus Christ, is all-powerful; there is nothing He cannot do.

This is a truth that is clearly demonstrated in the story of Gideon.

Despite his fear and his doubts, God used him to defeat an enemy that was far superior in numbers and strength.

This was not because of Gideon's own abilities, but because of God's power working through him.

This is a reminder that no matter how weak or inadequate we may feel, God can use us.

He can work through us to accomplish His purposes.

Not because of who we are, but because of who He is.

Because He is sovereign.

Because He is God.

Safety in God's Hands

As we continue to immerse ourselves in the life of Gideon, we find ourselves standing on the precipice of a comforting revelation - the safety we find in God's hands.

This safety, dear friends, is not a fleeting sensation or a temporary refuge.

It is a steadfast assurance, a fortress of faith that stands unshakeable amidst the storms of life.

Remember, the Name of the Lord is a strong tower and the righteous runs into it and they are safe!

The safety we receive from Christ is not born out of human strength or wisdom, but it is a gift from God Himself.

Gideon, a man who once trembled in fear, found this safety when he encountered the angel of the Lord.

He was afraid, yes, but the Lord reassured him, saying, "Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die."

This divine assurance transformed Gideon's fear into fearlessness.

It was not the absence of fear but the presence of God's assurance that brought about this transformation.

In the same way, we too can experience this divine transformation.

When we find ourselves in the grip of fear, we can turn to God, our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

We can find safety in His hands, not because we are strong, but because He is.

In the Hands of God, we find everlasting peace.

We have a safe place that never ends!

The safety we find in God's hands is not a temporary shelter that crumbles under the weight of our troubles.

It is an eternal refuge, a sanctuary that stands firm, regardless of the trials we face.

Our trials do not define us, but rather, they refine us.

They do not break us, but instead, they make us stronger, more resilient, more reliant on God's strength.

When we find safety in God's hands, we are not merely protected from harm.

We are transformed by His love.

We are molded into the image of Christ, shaped by His grace, and refined by His mercy.

Gideon's life is a testament to this transformative power.

From a man who hid in fear, he became a fearless leader, a mighty warrior, a man of valor.

This transformation was not the result of his own strength or courage, but the result of finding safety in God's hands.

The safety we find in God's hands is not a privilege reserved for a select few.

It is a promise available to all who believe in Him.

Gideon was not a man of great stature or influence.

He was an ordinary man with ordinary fears.

Yet, he found extraordinary safety in God's hands.

This tells us that no matter who we are or what we've done, we too can find this safety.

Conclusion

As we close our time together today, let's carry the message of God's peace, sovereignty, and safety in our hearts.

Just like Gideon, we've all faced moments of fear and uncertainty.

But remember, my friends, we serve a God who reassures us, "Peace!

Do not be afraid.

You are not going to die."

Our God is not just a God of power and might, but a God of love and compassion.

He's not just a God who reigns high above, but a God who dwells with us, in our everyday lives, in our joys and sorrows, in our victories and defeats.

He's a God who whispers to us in our moments of fear, "I am here. You are safe."

How do I receive the Peace of God?

Step #1: Fix Your Mind On God

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

The first step in experiencing the peace of God during the storms of life is to fix our minds on God.

Isaiah 26:3 says that God gives peace to those whose minds are stayed on him. In other words, peace comes when we remember God.

We experience peace when we call to mind the character of God and the promises of God.

Scripture tells us that God is always faithful to us.

He never leaves us, never forsakes us, never abandons us.

He is always with us, always sustaining us, always preserving us.

He loves us and is our Good Shepherd who will guide us to green pastures and still waters.

Even when we’re going through the storms of life, God is faithful.

He will bring us through to the other side.

He won’t let the waters overwhelm us.

The fires won’t consume us.

He will gently shepherd us to good places of rest and peace.

God has promised to always do good to us and not even the storms of life can stop God from fulfilling His promises.

As it says in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

If we want to experience peace, we must actively call these things to mind.

We must remember that God’s love is steadfast and that even though we are weak, He is faithful.

We must fix our minds firmly on God’s good character and unshakable promises.

When we do that, we experience peace.

Step #2: Prayer and Supplication

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

The second step to experiencing God’s peace in the midst of trials and troubles is to constantly be in prayer before God.

Whenever we experience the slightest bit of anxiety or worry, that should be a signal for us to run to God in prayer and supplication.

God is our almighty, loving, gracious, powerful Father.

He is the one who controls all things and rules over the universe.

This same God invites us to lay all our burdens and anxieties and worries at His feet.

He wants us to cast all our cares upon Him, for He cares for us.

The simple truth is that we’re not strong enough to bear our burdens on our own.

We need God Himself to bear our burdens for us and we must cast our burdens upon God through prayer and supplication.

First Peter 5:6-7 says, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

If we want to experience peace, we must cast all our anxieties upon the Lord.

We must run to our glorious, mighty, strong God and give Him the burdens that we can’t bear.

We can do this knowing that He cares abundantly for us.

We can exchange our burdens for the wonderful peace that He offers.

So, let's leave here today with a renewed sense of peace, knowing that our God is with us, that He is for us, and that He is our safe place.

Let's leave here today, not just with a message, but with a mission - to share this peace, this sovereignty, this safety, with a world that so desperately needs it.

Let's bow our heads in prayer.